On Balinese new year eve, known as pangrupukan (this year falls on 6/3/2008), thousands of ogoh ogoh (giant puppet of evil spirits, scary monsters, giants of Ramayana epic and other malevolent beings), will on the street all over the island. The ogoh ogoh is usually made by the youth organization in every hamlet in Bali. However, sometimes the members of a youth organization do not have much time to construct an ogoh-ogoh, or simply do not know how to make one so in order to be able to participate in ogoh ogoh parade they order an ogoh ogoh from ogoh ogoh workshop.

One of few ogoh ogoh workshops in Bali is located in Sesetan village, Denpasar. I Wayan Candra established this workshop, which is well known as Gases Bali, in 1990. Before establishing this ogoh ogoh workshop I Wayan Chandra have already run a workshop, which construct cremation tower, cow sarcophagi, and concrete statue. He come from undagi (traditional engineer) family, which its main duty is to construct cremation tower, cow sarcophagi, traditional house or other structures.

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On March 7th Balinese will celebrate Nyepi (Balinese New Year) but for the teenagers all over the island the special day is a day prior to nyepi on March 6th. On this day ogoh-ogoh (a giant puppet describing Balinese demon named Bhuta Kala) will be carried by the teenagers along the main streets of Bali in a grand parade.

Unfortunately, for this year some regions in Bali apply a rule that forbid to make and hold the ogoh-ogoh parade. Perhaps, the officials of those regions think that ogoh-ogoh party as the source of disturbances and dangers since many teenagers especially the young men have a tendency to get drunk while parading the ogoh-ogoh arousing a trouble or two or igniting firecrackers everywhere and everywhere that may harm someone else or ignite conflagration. But, do not worry others regions still do the tradition.

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As far as we know, in general bazaar is done by selling goods, foods, or sometimes items made by hand. It is normally sold with low price to attract people. Based on the Oxford Dictionary the definition of the word “bazaar” is a sale of goods, often items made by hand, to raise money for a charity or for people who need help. But there is a unique characteristic in bazaar a la Balinese. Before going further I’d like to share my friend’s experience about this kind of bazaar.

He is a Balinese but he was born and grew up in Jakarta. He came back to his home town to study in university. One day his uncle told him that there was bazaar in his banjar (ward) and he was so excited for that. When he got there he was surprised. Do you know why? Well, all the prices are twice more expensive than the normal ones. He was startled because in his thought he is going to buy food or goods in low price like in Jakarta.

In the era of 70s in Sanur, bazaar was held in Galungan only (Christmas a la Balinese ) by the member of the banjar ( hamlet / ward ) in order to give its community a chance to spend their money for snacks since all food stalls were closed during that day. And not all food, drinks or goods were sold in high price; only liquors such as beer, tuak, or arak (Balinese wine) were sold in inflated price to generate some profits and then the profit would be used to repair the banjar or temple on that area. But with the passing of the time there is a different concept arises in carrying out the bazaar.

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Here is an interesting piece of writing on Balinese Giant Demon Puppet (ogoh-ogoh) taken from Scott A Johnsen’s thesis which is entitled From Royal House to Nation: The Construction of Hinduism and Balinese Ethnicity In Indonesia.

Another aspect of the ogoh-ogoh debate having implications for the use of custom / culture / religion categories concerns the fact that some makers of these figures include realistic genitalia in their depictions of demons. A massive government campaign was underway during my fieldwork to stamp out pornographic video CDs and other examples of porno. Hindu Council officials were instructing gathered local officials that ogoh-ogoh should not be made with genitals, and furthermore that this was the responsibility of the entire village (desa), not simply the ward (banjar) making the ogoh-ogoh. I only saw one example of a “porno” ogoh-ogoh, in a village in Gianyar; however, this was well into the campaign to educate the public.

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Poleng, or chessboard pattern of alternating black and white squares is surely the most distinguished motif of Balinese cloth. One can hardly miss the presence of a poleng cloth around him due to the striking contrast of colors used in the motif. But poleng is not made for attracting attention of the onlookers, it express Balinese point of view towards life.

Since Poleng is the national color of Bali, it can be found virtually everywhere in the island. Poleng clothes are usually wound round big tree trunks, big rocks, statues and shrines. Banners, flags, and umbrellas that are used in a procession of the ceremony sometimes made of poleng clothes. Poleng clothes are also used by the Balinese traditional security forces (pecalang), poleng cloth is considered to be an obligatory part of pecalang outfits. There is also a warrior dance (baris) which is called Baris Poleng. As its name suggests, the dancers’ apparels consist predominantly of poleng clothes.

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Monday, 3/19/2007, early in the morning, the island of Bali will be blanketed with silence. Nyepi, Balinese New Year is celebrated with day of silence, fasting, and meditation.
Observed from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for contemplation and as such, anything that might interfere with that purpose is restricted. The main restrictions are Amati Geni (no lighting fires); Amati Karya (no working); Amati Lelanguan (no entertainment or pleasure); and Amati Lelungan (no traveling); and for some, no talking or eating at all. Prohibition against lighting fires includes the use of light bulb and electricity, but there is an exception for those who sick or if there is an infant in a family, a minimum light is allowed. However, the emergency services such as hospitals are operational. Exceptions are granted for emergency vehicles carrying those with life-threatening conditions and women about to give birth and the pecalang, traditional security force will open roads and assist people to a hospital in emergencies.

www.geocities.com/madeartha/
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